Burner.



L. S. CHADWICK.

BURNER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. I0, 19H.

Patented Nov. 26, 1918 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1- L. S. CHADWIGK.

BURNER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.10. 1917.

Patented Nov. 26, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT ornron.

LEE S. CHADWICK, OF EAST CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE CLEVELAND METAL PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

BURNER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 26, 1918.

Application filed January 10, 1917. Serial No. 141,513:

. of which the following is a full, clear, and

exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to that class of hydrocarbon .burners involving inner and outer commingling tubes between the lower ends-of which the wick projects, and Which are provided with perforationsfor admitting air to the combustion space between the tubes in such manner as to thoroughly commingle it with the gas generated at and rising from the wick, thereby to produce a readily combustible mixture.

It is well known to those familiar with burners of' this character that the inner commingling tubes are much shorter lived than the outer ones. Employing terms of ordinary usage, the inner tubes are said to burn out in a comparatively short time when subjected to'usual service. The ma son for this burning out of the inner tubes, while the outer tubes remain'in good condition, is that the inner tubes become overheated for want of a suflicient supply of cool air. The outer tubes, on the other hand, are constantly subjected to the cooling influence of fresh air that is drawn upward into and through the drum.

The actual condition that is rather inaptly expressed by the term burned out is an over carbonization of the metal whereof the inner tube is made and which comes about in this wise: The metal of the tube, when it reaches an extremely high temperature, acquires a chemical attraction or affinity for the carbon that is in the gas and proceeds to absorb or take on this carbon .until after a comparatively short time it is so overcharged with carbon that it becomes brittle and will actually crumble under its own weight. Note that it is only after the metal has reached an extremely high temperature that this action takes place'to any appreciable degree. Therefore, to overcome this defect it is only necessary to prevent the inner commingling tube from attaining so high a temperature, and it is the fundamental purpose of this invention to construct the inner commingling tube sojas to accomplish this end.

In present constructions wherein the inner commingling tubes are provided with imperforate tops, the only outlet for the air rising within the tubes is through the perforations leading into the combustion space. Obviously this leaves a quantity or core of practically dead air to remain in the central part of the tube and beneath its top which becomes very highly heated, thus overheating" the tube. It is not unusual also for the products of combustion to be diverted inwardly through the perforations of theinner commingling tube by a down draft being created within the combustion space by some external'eause, and in that way establish a blaze within the tube which will rapidly raise the temperature of the tube to an extremely high degree.

The object of this invention, stated more specifically. than above, is the provision of an inner commingling tube having a top arrangement that will permit of or induce a current of air'upward through the tube in excess of that required for the promotion of combustion within the combustion space, and to deflect such excess air toward the wall of the tube, thereby to modify the temperature of the tube, and so govern its discharge at the upper end of the tube as to prevent its affecting the eflicient action of the burner. Under the provisions of my invention, therefore, the inner tube is afforded practically the same favorable conditions under which to operate as those above mentioned under which the outer tube exists,

and by reason of this life of the' burner is greatly prolonged.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown three constructions involving my invention and in any one of which the foregoing object is attained.

means of the usual wick raising mechanism;

and within the upper end of the inner wick tube'there is supported a deflector 4.- which compels the air rising through the tube to pass upward adjacent the wall thereof. The wick tubes 1 and 2 are provided adjaceni their upper ends with commingling tube supporting ledges 5 and 6, respectively. Because of the general knowledge of the present burner, it is deemed unnecessary to show it in its entirety, it being understood that the space between the wick tube is supplied with liquid fuel through suitable means. I

may explain, however, that I do not limit the use of my improved commingling tubes to burners of this particular type but consider that ,they may be employed with any burner adapted for use wit-h commingling tubes.

The inner commingling tube 10 is adapted to rest upon the ledge and is provided substantially from top to bottom with perforations 11, the lowermost'row of perforations being deprived of communication with the space inside the tube by the vertical wall 12 of a diaphragm 13 which extends across the lower end of the tube, the wall 12 having its upper edge turned outward and then upward to provide a peripheral flange 14 which is secured by suitable means to the tube. The body portion of the diaphragm 13 has perforations 15, and a thimble 16 isconnected to the elevated central portion of the diaphragm by having its lower end reduced and passed through a central aperture of the diaphragm and upset on the underneath side thereof. The socket 17 of the thimble receives the upper end of the lifter-rod 18 whereby the commingling tubes may be elevated from the ledges of the wick tube when it is desired to light the burner. The lifter-rod is a feature common to many burners that are now on the market and further showing or description of it is thought 1 to be unnecessary.

' edges of the hood and disk or deflector are held together and in contact with the lugs 20 by the inturned upper edge of the. tube. The disk or deflector 21 is provided with a series of openings 25 near'its edge.

An outer commingling tube 28, having perforations 29, is adapted to rest upon the ledge 6 of the outer wick tube and is maintamed in substantially concentric relation to the inner tube byv means of cross rods 30 which are arranged at right angles to each other and pass through the walls of the two tubes. The openings of the inner tube through which the rods pass are elongated vertically so as to allow a slight vertical movement between-the two tubes for the purpose of permitting them to adjust themselves to any slight irregularities in their.

supporting ledges or to compensate for any foreign matter which may be upon the ledges and interfere with their seating.

The rods 30 extend beyond the outer com.- mingling tube and support in proper relation to such tube a drum 32 having an annular bottom wall 33 which extends inward and upward adjacent the lower end of the outer commingling tube and is provided with perforations 34. The rods 30 are held,

against withdrawal from the" drum and tubes :by a head at one end and a cotter pin 31 whichextends through the other, An annular top wall 35 is also provided for the drum which extends upward and inward from its upper end and terminates above the upper end of the outer commingling tube. The drum is equipped with ahandle 37.

In the operation of the burner,. gas is generated about the upper end of the wick and rises within the combustion space between the commingling tubes. plied with the required oxygen through the perforations of the commingling tubes, the gas receiving its first supply of oxygen in the air which is drawn inward through the lowest row of perforations in the inner commingling tube and that which is drawn inward through the opposite row of perforations of the outer tube. By reason of the peculiar edge formation of the diaphragm 13, a suflicient initial supply of air is insured. The wall 12 deflects a quantity of the air that sweeps upward about the deflector 4 and compels it to pass through the bottom row of perforations of the inner commingling tube. As the gas ascends within the combustion space it continues to receive oxygen from the air that is drawn It is sup-' inward through the perforations of the i-ntained in this constructio considerably in excess of that required for the promotion of combustion, and this excess air has the effect of maintaining the temperature of the outer commingling tube at a comparatively low degree.

Likewise, with respect to the inner commingling tube, th quantity of air which is admittedto the interior-,of the tube through the perforations 15 of the diaphragm 13 is greater than is required to promote combust on, and conseqently this air rises as rapidly as the conditions dict-ate to the upper end of the tube where it escapes through the openings 25in the disk 21 and the aperture 23 of the hood 22. The openings 25 being located as they are adjacent the periphery of the disk causes the disk to act as a. deflector in compelling the air to pass in proximity to the wall of the tube, thus having a greater cooling effect thereon than it would have if it Were allowed to rise directly through the tube. However, beyond the disk 21, it is essential that the discharge of air be restricted substantially of the'burner in order to keep it from disturbing the draft upward through the combustion space. This end is accomplished through the formation of the hood 22, and location of the aperture thereof.

The construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is identical with that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, with the exception Therefore I shall employ the same reference numerals in designating the corresponding parts of the two constructions. The disk and hood, which are of modified form, will have applied to them the same numerals as in the former case, augmented by the exponent a.

In Figs. 3 and 4. I have shown the disk or deflector 21," perforated substantially throughout itsarea, but it will be observed that the same is more foraminous toward its periphery than in the vicinity of its center, which will have the effect of maintaining the greater draft of air upward adjacent the wall of the tube. In the present case I have also shown the hood 22 as being perforated quite freely outward from the center to its edge, but it will ,be noted that the perforations increase in size inward from the edge. Therefore, practically the same effect is atn as in the one previously described.

, Fig. 5 shows a construction wherein the hood 22 is provided with a single centrally located aperture 23", and the disk or deflector 21 is supported within the upper end of the inner commingling tube with its edge spaced a substantially equal distance from.

the tube throughout its circumference by studs 40 which have their upper and lower ends reduced and passed through the top wall of the hood and the disk, respectively, and upset therebeyond.

to the center Hilts only enough of the disk and hood.

It will be seen upon reflection that the purpose and principle of operation'are the same in all forms of my invention herein dis-.

action of the burner, to wit, that of assuring a suflicient supply of air to the lower portion of the combustion space to properly promote combustion by deflecting a quantity of the air rising about the deflector 4 outward through the lowest row of perforations of the inner commingling tube. In this connection it will be well to explain that the velocity with which the air rises through the inner commingling tube perair to pass through the perforations 11 thereof above the diaphragm to produce a comparatively small and unsteady flame at each perforation. This assists in preventing an overheating of the inner commingling tube. Ithas already been explained how, in prevailing types of burners, a down draft created within the combustion space by some external cause has the effect of diverting the gas and products of combustion inward through the perforations of the inner commingling tube and of establishing a blaze therewithin. Obviously this reversal of conditions has its start in the lower portion of the commingling space where the products are backed up and have to find their escape through the perforations of the commingling tubes.

Now, bearingthe above in mind, another effect which the imperforate edge portion 12 of the diaphragm has is that of preventing the products of combustion from reaching the interior of the inner commingling tube upon the instance of a down draft in the combustion space, and the resultant de-' fiection of the flame through the lowest row of perforations because of the immediate proximity of this row to the flame. Under such conditions, the products, after passing through said lowest row of perforations are directed downward by the edge portion 12 of the diaphragm into the fresher air therebeneath and are hastily extinguished. \Vithout the imperforate edge portion 12 'extending above the lowest row of perforations, it would be possible for a reverse fire to be started at the lowest row of perforations and consequently continued all the way up the tube.

Again, under normal operation of the burner, the edge pbrtion 12 insures a steady current of air through the lowest rowof perforations, thereby initiating a proper draft within the 1m er portion of the combustion space, and iis, in turn, tends to maintain a proper draft thereabove and to promptly readjust any drafts of the higher perforations that might have been diverted.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a burner of the character set forth, the combination of an inner and an outer perforated commingling tube between the lower ends-of which a wick is adapted to. be projected, the inner commingling tube havin an open top, and a deflector within the tuEe for'directing the air passing upward through the tube and out of the open top thereof into close proximity to the wall ofa the tube.

2. In a burner of the character set forth,

the combination of an inner and an outer perforated commin ling tube between the lower ends of whic a wick is adapted to be projected, and a plate extending across the upper end of the inner commingling lower endsof which a wick-is adapted to be tube and having perforations decreasing in size from the periphery toward the central portion thereof.

3. In a burner of the character set forth, the combination of an inner and an outer perforated commingling tube between the projected, a plate extendingacross the upper end of the inner commingling tube and having perforations adjacent its edge, and a hood surmounting said tube and having a central discharge opening.- v

4.- In a burner of the character set forth, the combination of an inner and "an outer perforated cdmmingling tube between the lower ends of which a wick is adapted tobe projected, a perforated plate extending.

across the upper end of the inner commingling tube, and ahood surmounting said tube and having perforations which decrease in size from its center toward its edge.

5. In a burner of the character set forth,

the combination of an inner and an'outer erforated commingling tube between the ower ends of which a wick is adapted to be projected, the inner commingling tube having a horizontal row of perforations spaced a comparatively short distance above its lower edge, and a diaphragm extending across thelower end ofsaid tube and having its body portion perforated while its edge portion is imperforate and is turned upward alongand spaced from the wall of the tube and is then turned outward into contactwith said wall above said row of perforations. I

7. In a burner of the character set forth, the combination of an inner and anouter perforated commingling tube between the lower ends of which a wick is adapted to be projected, the inner commingling tube having a horizontal row of perforatlonsspaced upward a comparatively short distance from its lower end, and havlng also a top that is provided'with an opening,' and a deflector perforated commingling tube between the lower endsof which a wick is adapted to be projected, and a plate extending across the upper end of the inner commingling tube and havin perforations extendin from the vicinity 0 its periphery towar the central portion thereof, the aggregate area of such perforations decreasing inwardly.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses. LEE S. GHADWICK. Witnesses:

A. E. Panama, W. E. SHEPPARD.- 

